Through this adventure tour you will experience the least known part of Kosovo. This tour combines visits to the most beautiful cultural and natural beauties of Kosovo, UNESCO sites, monasteries, medieval churches and mosques, with climbing & hiking in Accursed Mountains of Kosovo.
Location: Kosovo
Duration: 5 days
Upon arrival at Pristina Airport, we transfer to Prizren, considered the cultural capital of Kosovo and our home for the next two nights. Time permitting, we enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the city visiting a few of its main monuments such as, the Orthodox Church of “Our Lady of Ljevis,” on the list of UNESCO protected Medieval Monuments of Kosovo since 2006. Other sites worth visiting are: The Mosque of Sinan Pasha built in 1615 and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Prizren's main Catholic church since 1870. Overnight in Prizren. Difficulty : Easy
The Sharr Mountains extend from Kosovo to northwest Macedonia and into northeastern Albania. One of the highest peaks, Rudoka e Madhe (2658m/8,720’), is located on the border between Kosovo and Macedonia and is surrounded by several peaks with almost the same altitude. Our hike begins at Prevalla, a small ski center at an altitude of 1540m. Here, three different climates can be experienced in the same day and it is often snow covered from November to May. Our adventure hiking route leads us to the source of Lumebardhi river which flows through mountain valleys to Prizren, then into Albania before reaching the Adriatic Sea. This area is dotted with twenty-five lakes at an altitude of 1900 m and nearly 2000 plant species, of which 30-40 are endangered. After hiking, we drive through canyons, around hills, on top of mountains, and through forests in a day full of changing landscapes and colors. We return to Prizren to experience a filigree workshop. Filigree is a delicate kind of jewelry hand metalwork. It is usually made of gold and silver with tiny beads, twisted threads or both in combination, soldered together or onto the surface of an object of the same metal, arranged in artistic motifs. This art form was likely introduced with the Ottoman conquest but has been perfected by Prizren jewelry crafters ever since. We end the day with visits to the Fortress of Prizren, the Church of the Holy Saviour, and the Church of St. George. Overnight in Prizren. Difficulty: Medium
Our easy hike takes us to Mirusha waterfalls, a cascading chain of waterfalls found along the Mirusha River on the south of the Gremnik Mountain at an altitude of 572 meters. The Mirusha River carved a 10 km long canyon, creating 13 river lakes with 12 waterfalls between them. This area is often referred to as the “Plitvice” of Kosovo after the famous National Park in Croatia. After hiking, we proceed to the lake of Istog another of Kosovo’s attractions linked to a river. We will enter a unique restaurant complex situated at the entrance of a picturesque gorge carved by the crystal clear springs on the Istog River. It is the perfect place to sample the delicious fresh trout from the pure water ponds. After lunch, we continue on to the Rugova valley and the village of Boga for the night. Difficulty: Easy
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Today we experience Kosovo’s "Via Ferrata," the first of its kind in the Balkans. A vertical rock face of 100 meters is perfect for experiencing the thrill of rock climbing in a controlled environment. The hiking and climbing along the cables and wires offers a spectacular view over the city of Peja and the Rugova Gorge. The trail travels through ancient caves which now serves as a shelter for wildlife. We finish the hike in one of the villages of the Rugova Gorge and enjoy a traditional lunch. Next we explore the Patriarcate of Peja, the spiritual seat and mausoleum of Serbian archbishops and patriarchs. Constructed in the XIII century, it is a complex of small churches adorned with frescoes and one of the "Medieval Monuments in Kosovo," a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Next, we visit the Monastery complex of Decani, the largest medieval church in the Balkans containing the most extensive and beautifully preserved frescos, deservingly becoming part of UNESCO. The monastery was constructed by the Serbian King, Stefan Urosh, who is buried in the chapel and completed by his son Stefan Dushan in 1335. Continuing on we travel through Kosovo’s wine growing region, Rahovec, before stopping in Pristina for the night. Note: The Via Ferrata is done with professional equipment provided, trained guides, and advanced construction supported by Italian professionals with extensive experience in the Italian Dolomites. No rock climbing experience is required. There are metal steps installed in the rock face making it a doable climb for just about anyone. Difficulty: Medium
After breakfast , we take a walking tour of the city’s main sites, including the Ottoman period mosques of Pristina such as the Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque dating back to 1461 during the golden rule of Sultan Mehmet II. Nearby is Pristina's oldest building, the Çarshia Mosque completed in 1389, the Clock Tower, and the Skanderbeg statue (Albanian National Hero). Kosovo’s newest monument is the striking nine brightly painted steel letters spelling out the word ‘N.E.W.B.O.R.N,' commemorating February 2008's declaration of independence from Serbia. If flight time allows we will visit the marble Cave of Gadime. Transfer to Pristina Airport included.
330 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 12 participants
355 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 10 participants
400 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 8 participants
445 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 6 participants
465 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 4 participants
690 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 2 participants
Single supplement = 70 Euro. (Single rooms will usually be double or twin for single use.)
Included:
Note: The above dates are for orientation purposes, to help people book on the same dates, and pay the cheaper price. However we will run this tour on other dates as per clients’ requests.
For all the highly visible strife of the 1990s, Kosovo turns out to be a safe, diverse, wildly beautiful and inexpensive English-speaking destination with good roads, hotels and restaurants. National parks make up 11 percent of the land area with scenic, accessible mountain terrain. There are traditional mountain villages and UNESCO cultural icons, including 13th century monasteries. Rarely visited even by Western Europeans who flock to nearby Croatia, it’s also still charmingly unpretentious and welcoming. And, as I said, they love Americans like no other place I’ve ever been. The landmark 16th century Old Stone Bridge arches elegantly over the Bistrica River. I visit the 1615 Sinan Pasha Mosque and Kosovo’s grand UNESCO-protected 14th century Our Lady of Ljeviš Orthodox Church. In the well-preserved Ottoman quarter, Turkish is spoken by one of the country’s many minorities that also include Bosniaks, Serbs, Roma and Ashkalia. Walking up a steep pathway to the castle encircling a hilltop overlooking Prizren, there are great views of the city, with its more than 20 mosque spires pointing heavenward. Spinning around, I watch pink sunset rays lighting up the snow-capped peaks of the Sharr mountain range. In the morning, hiking guide Edis Krusha drives us up a canyon road, zigzagging through forest and past hilltop castle ruins toward those mountains. After 90 minutes, we arrive at Prevalla, in winter a small ski center at 5,000 feet, and lace up our boots as a young shepherd urges a herd of sheep past us toward summer pastures.
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